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According to the Online Etymological Dictionary, lam means: "flight," as in on the lam, 1897, from a U.S. slang verb meaning "to run off" (1886), of uncertain origin, perhaps somehow from the first element of lambaste, which was used in British student slang for "beat" since 1590s. Does anyone know of any other explanations?
7 cze 2024 · The phrase "on the lam" means to avoid capture by fleeing from law enforcement. It originated in the late 19th century and was first used by pickpockets as a signal to escape from potential danger. The word "lam" is believed to have Old English roots meaning "to beat" or "thrash," which evolved to signify escaping or running away.
“On the lam” means “to escape.” “To lam” is a slang verb used to showcase this. It’s most prevalent in the case of escaping from the police, though it may appear in other situations too. Its origins date back to Old Norse, where the verb originally meant “to beat.”
22 lip 2024 · On the lam means to be in hiding or to run away, especially to avoid being caught by the police. It’s a phrase often used when someone wants to escape from the law after doing something wrong. For example, if someone commits a crime and then leaves their town to avoid arrest, they are on the lam.
11 paź 2024 · “On the lam” is an idiom that means someone is running away or fleeing from the authorities, often to avoid arrest or legal consequences. It refers to being on the run, typically used in the context of criminals or fugitives trying to escape law enforcement.
3 cze 2022 · Origin. The expression "on the lam" originates from the 16th century. The initial meaning of the word "lam" was to "beat soundly." By the end of the 1500s, the word was a part of the thieves' vernacular. Some experts believe Shakespeare introduced "lam" into everyday colloquial language.
29 kwi 2013 · So the slang use of “beat it” was around before “lam” (to beat) acquired its extended slang meaning (to run or beat it). But we haven’t discussed where the earlier “lam” came from. Etymologists believe it’s derived from the Old Norse lemja (to flog or to cripple by beating).
